Cross-dressing

Question

Shalom! Please I want an interpretation of Deuteronomy 22: 5.

Answer

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

The verse you are referring to (Devarim 22:5) reads as follows: “A man may not wear a woman’s garment nor may a man wear a woman's garment. Whoever does this is an abomination to the Lord, your G-d.”

On its surface, it is a ban on cross-dressing. But the famous commentator, Rashi, adds some more details. He writes, “A man may not wear a woman’s garment [actually and also means that] it is a ban against a woman appearing like a man [and vice versa].” He quotes that Talmud, Nazir 59a, as his source. He continues, “Another explanation: is that a man must also not remove his pubic hair or the hair of his armpits [for it is something associated with women].

The ban on dressing like a member of the opposite gender, and by extension, engaging in practices there are exclusive to members of the opposite gender is known as the prohibition of “lo yilbash.” This prohibition is more severe than it might appear, and we know this because the Torah calls it an “abomination” – a word not used too frequently in the Torah. It is only used to describe the most severe, revolting, prohibitions.

Clothes and practices that are “unisex” – common to both men and women are generally permitted.

Some of the commentators teach that the ban was in response to the practices of ancient idolaters who would cross-dress as part of their religious practice. (the Rambam, Sefer Hamitzvot, lo taaseh, 39; Chinuch 542)

These laws are codified in the Shulchan Aruch YD 182.


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